Babra Sharif

Babra Sharif (Urdu: بابرہ شریف, Baabra. born 1954) is an actress in the Pakistani film industry during the 1980s and late 1970s. She started her career in television commercials. She made her presence felt in a ‘Jet’ washing powder commercial and came to be known as ‘Jet’ powder girl. Fair-haired, attractive and intelligent, Babra soon became a household name. Her appearance in the ‘Lux’ advertisement with the message, ‘Aakhir loag hamara chehra he to deiktay hain’, took her fame to the top. After a while, she appeared in Mohsin Shirazi’s television play, which was telecast from Karachi television station. She worked with many famous names of her time, including Shahid, Nadeem, Waheed Murad, Ghulam Mohyedin and even Muhammad Ali. She had great success in Urdu films in Pakistan. She did a variety of roles which proved her versatility as an actress. Some critics have also considered her as the best actress of her time in Pakistan.

She worked in more than 100 movies

Career

After working in PTV drama Kiran Kahani in 1973, her first film was Intezar in 1974. Confident of her acting potential, Shamim Ara signed her for the film Bhool in 1974. Bhool was scheduled to be directed by S.Sulaiman. Prior to Bhool, S.Sulaiman had already signed Barbara for his film Intezaar. Incidentally, Intizaar was released before Bhool. Hence, Barbara debuted in the film Intezaar as supporting actress in 1974. To set the record straight, both Intezaar and Bhool were released in 1974. Barbara’s innocent face distinguished her from other actresses of her time.

She moved on to a supporting role in Bhool, then to Haqeeqat, Shama, Shabab Kiranvi’s Mera Naam Hai Mohabbat, which was a super hit. This led to a string of films culminating in Salakhain, which proved to be one of her best works. She also worked in Pakistan’s first sci-fi film Shaani. In 1978, she married to film star Shahid, but the couple soon divorced and she did not get married again.

Despite her hard work in films, Barbara had to look for more opportunities in movies, which did not came immediately. In 1975, she appeared as supporting actress, in director Masood Pervez’s film ‘Mera naa patay khan’. Neelo and Shahid played the lead roles. Her efforts took on a new intensity and she proved her worth in the Pakistani cinema. She worked in director Iqbal Kashmiri’s film Shareef Budmaash. Ali Sufyan Aafaqi’s film Ajnabi, Nazar Shabab’s film Naukar.

An undeterred Barbara, dressed to perform, played the lead role opposite Ghulam Mohyedin, in director Wazeer Ali’s film Masoom. In her movies, even ordinary things capture tranquility. Her most memorable role came in the super hit film Mera naam hai mohabbat, directed by Shabab Kiranvi. Barbara and Ghulam Mohyedin played the lead roles. Her fame skyrocketed soon after the theatrical release of Mera naam hai mohabbat. In reality, Barbara became the most sought after actress from 1976 onwards. Moreover, the year 1976 was most definitely the best year for her films as well. In 1976, she worked in director Pervez Malik’s film Talaash. In director Shabab Kiranvi’s film Dewar. In director Ali Sufyan Aafaqi’s film Aag aur Aansoo. Foremost was her sweeping 1976 film, Shabana, directed by Zafar Shabab. The film successfully completed golden jubilee, by winning performances turned in by Barbara, Waheed Murad and Shahid.

In her twenty-three year film career, 1974–1997, Barbara worked in more or less one hundred fifty films. Her auspicious performance in ‘Shabana’, led to more successful movies. Below are six such films:

Babra received a Nigar Award for Shabana, and another Nigar Award for Tina and has received this Award 8 times. Presently she is semi retired.

She temporarily resumed her career as a model and currently owns a jewellery shop in Karachi. She gave matchless performance in Nadan Nadia, a Pakistan television comedy play by Anwar Maqsood. She has appeared in a Lux 50 years celebration commercial.